Nanoceramics for Blood Borne Virus Removal

Abstract

The development of nanoscience and nanotechnology in the field of ceramics has brought new opportunities for the development of virus removal techniques. A number of nanoceramics, including nanostructured alumina, titania, zirconia etc. have been introduced for the applications in virus removal/separation. Filtration or adsorption of viruses and thus the removal of viruses through nanoceramics, such as nanoporous/mesoporous ceramic membranes, ceramic nanofibres, and ceramic nanoparticles will make it possible to produce an efficient system for virus removal from blood and with excellent chemical/thermal stability. Currently nanoceramic membranes and filters based on sol-gel alumina membranes and NanoCeram® nanofibre filters have been commercialized and applied to remove viruses from the blood. Nevertheless, filtration using nanoprous filters is limited to the removal of only free viruses in the bloodstream.